“Pp Lyd end of the operational phase approached, the strength decline was accelerated until on 31 July it stood at 1,510. Virtually all elements indicated that their personnel, with few exceptions in field maintenance areas, were well qualified to perform HARDTACK duties, particularly those airmen in the five and seven levels of the Air Force Specialty Code, Morale, too, was considered to be favorable, despite the crowded and temporary living conditions, the isolated location of the proving ground, and the irregularity of mail and news publications, At least two factors were conducive to good morale: (1) the stressed athletic and entertainment programs sponsored jointly by Task Group 7.2 and Task Group 7.4 Special Services activities; and (2) the hiring of civilian mess attendants through Holmes and Narver, beginning early in the operational phase, Concurrent with the official establishment of Task Group 7.4 in the Eniwetok Proving Ground, the responsibilities for the conduct of Personnel Administration were clarified, Test Services Unit, by ear lier arrangements, assumed full responsibility for administration of all that Unit's personnel; Test Base Unit assumed the responsibility for administration of all other personnel of the group. However, for the purpose of strength accounting, personnel of all Test Aircraft Unit elements were attached to the Samoling tlement (4926thn Test Scuadron)